Paragliding: Basic Aerodynamics & Meteorology

A set of flashcards covering essential vocabulary and definitions related to paragliding and aerodynamics.

Leading Edge

The forward edge of the wing.

Trailing Edge

The back edge of the wing.

Span

Wingtip to wingtip width.

Chord

The distance between leading edge and trailing edge.

Centre of Lift

The point where the lifting force can be considered to act.

Centre of Drag

The point where the total drag force can be considered to act.

Wing Loading

The all up weight of pilot and aircraft divided by the area of the wing laid flat.

Aspect Ratio

The span squared divided by the surface area or the span divided by the mean chord.

Air Speed

The speed of the aircraft through the air.

Ground Speed

The speed of the aircraft in relation to the ground.

Wind Speed

The speed of the wind.

Angle of Attack (AoA)

The angle between the chord line of the wing and the relative airflow.

Lift

The upward acting force perpendicular to the flight path, created by the wing deflecting air downward.

Parasitic Drag

Drag created by friction of the air over the glider, lines and pilot.

Induced Drag

Drag created in the production of lift.

Relative Airflow

Airflow relative to the chord of the wing, opposite to the flight path.

Camber

A measure of the curvature of the aerofoil.

Cross Port Venting

The transverse movement of air between the cells in the wing.

Pendular Stability

Stability created by the pilot’s weight suspended below the wing.

Stall

The separation of laminar flow from the wing’s upper surface resulting in a drastic loss of lift.

Roll

Rotation about the longitudinal axis (wingtips up and down).

Pitch

Rotation about the lateral axis (leading edge up and down).

Yaw

Rotation about the vertical axis (wingtips forward and back).

Wake Turbulence

Turbulent air immediately behind a wing's trailing edge, especially strong at the wingtips.

Wind Gradient

The exponential reduction of wind speed when approaching the ground.

Thermal

An upward current of warm air.

Lift Band

Areas where uplift is generated due to upword moving air as it hits a ridge/dune

Which paraglider control do you use to

turn?

The brakes – and the use of weight shift.

How do we judge wind strength and

direction?

In flight:

1) observe ground speed and track
2) smoke, dust, wind

on the ground
1 wind on face, wind sockm streamer
2 movement in trees, smoke dust

How is the force of the wind related to its velocity?

The force is proportional to the square of the velocity. so as the velocity is doubled, the force is quadrupled!

What factors contribute to terrain induced turbulence?

Wind strength and direction – as well as rough terrain (When flying near or down wind of terrain or obstacles in

the wind’s path in moderate or strong winds. )

What effect would the approach of a squall or storm have on conditions whilst flying ?

1. Increase lift (often smooth and widespread)

2. Changed wind speed and direction

3. Strong turbulence (With microburst, downdrafts, or gust fronts)

What are the dangers of flying in or near a cloud?

Being sucked into a cloud, white out, disorientation, rain, hailstones and turbulence.

What speed is maintained on landing approach? Why

Close to Trim speed – to create maximum lift during flare

During take off run, your wing tip tucks. What do you do?

1. If still on the ground, abort the launch.

2. If in the air, maintain the correct heading by weight

   shifting away from the tuck( putting weight on open side

   of glider) and a light application of brake on the fully

   flying side, if necessary.

When flaring for landing you find that you are a little

too high (>2 meters). What do you do?

PAUSE, then resume flare as the glider nears the

ground.

Your landing has gone completely wrong and you are

about to land heavily. What do you do?

1. Flare glider hard!

2. Do a Parachute Landing Roll (PLR)

Flight control and inflight incident

It the wind is strong, do you have to run faster or

slower during take off?

1. Initially slower in order to inflate the wing with less energy.

2. Stage 2 position is the same no matter the wind strength. This position loads the wing in the safest and most efficient way to launch.

In which situations would you fly at close to maximum airspeed?

1. Into a strong headwind

2. In heavily sinking air

3. With big ears (+ use speed bar) to avoid being sucked

   into cloud

Fly at airspeed which gives you minimum sink rate?

When trying to maximize climb rate in lift

(both in thermals and ridge/dynamic lift)

In which situations would you fly at airspeed which gives you minimum sink rate?

When trying to maximize climb rate in lift

(both in thermals and ridge/dynamic lift)

In which situations would you fly at airspeed which gives best glide distance (L/D)?

To cover the greatest distance in nil / light wind

What should a pilot do when entering wind shadow?

Fly with 10 – 20% brakes to counter expected turbulence

This is called Resting Pressure – it is the weight of your

arms on the brakes. It means you have heightened

sensation of the air through the brakes and you’re ready

to catch unexpected pitches of your glider.

What meteorological conditions must be considered

before deciding to fly?

Wind direction and strength

Thermal activity

Proximity of storms

The Forecast (what's potentially happening soon in the

area)

what are the two most common landing approaches used

in paragliding? and when would you use them

airplane landing (downwind base final)/figure 8
use them

1. Downwind base final in a large unobstructed field,

   gives you time to judge your glide angle and puts the

   landing aircraft in sequence (when it’s busy)

2. figure of 8, in a small landing area, this always keeps

   you over/close to the landing area!

What is the most suitable direction for landing on a

moderately sloping field of limited size in light wind?

Upslope, cross slope or into wind?

Cross slope, because down slope you tend to not touch down and

Upslope the ground comes up fast!

What is the danger of a wing tip tuck

1. If the resulting turn occurs immediately after launching the

glider could crash back onto the hill

2. A large tuck or collapse of 50% + could lead to a 180’ heading

change and if left unchecked a spiral dive

what indicates a parachutal stall

1. Loss of airspeed (no breeze on face)

2. High descent rate

When is a tuck most likely to occur?

1. When flying in turbulence

2. when entering/existing a strong thermal

3. When accelerated (speed bar)

What happens when the brakes are pulled down

progressively in flight?

1. brake pressure increases

2. Airspeed decreases

3. eventually the glider stalls and drops behind the pilot

How do you recover from a parachutal stall?

a) Raise brakes

b) Push front risers forward (or push speed bar)

c) Dampen surge when glider resumes flying

How do you recover from an impending stall?

Raise brakes and allow glider to regain airpseed

How do you recover from a frontal tuck?

Raise brakes and prepare to dampen surge

How do you recover from a stall whilst in a turn (spin)?

Raise stalled wing brake and prepare to dampen surge

What is the danger of a large asymmetric collapse?

1. A large tuck of 50% + could lead to a spiral dive if left

unchecked

2. If the resulting turns is unchecked, the glider increases in

G-forces meaning it must be recovered or it hits the hill/ground

at a very fast speed = this is the largest killer in our sport.

What are the rules of the air in the following

circumstances?

a) when 2 gliders approach head-on in clear air

Both shall diverge to the right

What are the rules of the air in the following

circumstances?

b) when 2 gliders approach head-on along a ridge?

The glider with its right wing tip towards the ridge will have right

of way

What are the rules of the air in the following

circumstances? when a glider overtakes another?

The faster glider gives way to the slower

(Whilst soaring – beware the slower glider may turn) turning into the ridge to pass. be care as it can be dangerious when passing

What are the rules of the air in the following

circumstances?

e) When flying amongst traffic

Be aware of where other glider are, look before

initiating turns and join established pattern

When 2 gliders approach from different heights?

The lower glider has right of way

What are the rules of the air in the following

circumstances?

g) When entering a thermal below a sailplane

Be aware that sailplanes

cannot see directly beneath them! (therefore The vertical give way rule is opposite for sailplane)

What are the rules of the air in the following

circumstances?

h) When 2 gliders approach at right angles?

The glider to your right has the right of way

give way to your right

What are a pilot’s responsibilities in regard to right of

way?

What are a pilot’s responsibilities in regard to collision avoidance?

Do NOT assume absolute right of way!

Take any action necessary to avoid a collision!

How does the degree of bank angle affect glider sink rate?

Sink rate increases in proportion

to the angle of bank

What should be considered before attempting a 360’ turn

in front of a hill?

a) Clearance from the hill

b) Wind and thermal strength

c) Other traffic

What problems are associated with hang gliders and

paragliders flying together?

Hang gliders have different fields of view,

airspeed, performance and maneuverability,

potentially causing dangerous flight path

conditions. (gesticulate with large body movements to telegprath intent to hang gliders)

What would you do if the wind strength increases

while you are soaring and you are being blown behind

the ridge?

Gain as much height as possible over the ridge then turn downwind

and fly as far as possible away from the ridge, land into wind in the

safest place available.

Which important safety items should be carried when

coastal soaring?

A hook knife

Which important safety items should be carried when

inland soaring?

an Epurbm A reserve parachute

What factors must be considered and what

techniques must be adopted when:

a) Launching from a limited length run to a steep drop

in light wind?

a) Lay glider out at top of slope to allow maximum runway

b) Wait fo wind to blow straight up slope

c) Check that you are centered in relation to the canopy

d) Run as hard as required to gain airspeed then check the

canopy is inflated

If in doubt abort the launch

What factors must be considered and what

techniques must be adopted when:

b) Launching from a passage cut out of a treed ridge

in a light crosswind?

Be aware that glider may weather vane into the cross wind,

once you have the glider up and flying you will need to

actively steer it out through the passage in the trees.

Do not launch if the wind is strong and cross

What factors must be considered and what

techniques must be adopted when:

c) Launching from a cleared run above a treed ridge in

strong wind?

Be aware of rotor and turbulence behind the trees and

strong surge of lift above the tree line.

What factors must be considered and what

techniques must be adopted when:

d) Launching from a high altitude site on a very hot

and humid day? (above 3000 meters)

Be aware that the air will be significantly less dense than

normal because of the altitude, heat and humidity. The glider

will rise up more quickly requiring a strong check when

overhead and then the pilot must run harder to get airborne.

Whilst flying, how would you notice and what would

be the effect of the following change in conditions:

a) increasing wind strength in ridge soaring and thermalling

Ridge Soaring:

a) Increase lift

b) Increase crab angle needed to stay forward

c) Decreased ground speed into wind

Thermalling:

a) Weaker thermals, lean more downwind

b) Thermals become broken and more turbulent

c) Ground speed and direction change

Land whilst you still can easily

Whilst flying, how would you notice and what would

be the effect of the following change in conditions:

b) reducing wind strengthn in ridge soaring and thermalling

Ridge soaring:

a) Decrease lift

b) decrease crab angle needed to stay forward

c) Increase ground speed into wind

Thermalling:

a) Thermals become vertical and smoother

b) Ground speed and direction change

Whilst flying, how would you notice and what would

be the effect of the following change in conditions: Change in wind direction

a) Variations in ground speed and ground track

b) Less lift if ridge soaring due to angle at which the

wind is striking the hill

Whilst flying, how would you notice and what would

be the effect of the following change in conditions: Approach os Squall or storm

a) Heavy clouds building

b) Increase widespread lift

c) Changes in wind direction and strength

d) With downdrafts/microbursts comes increased

turbulence, heavy sink and gust fronts.

When may a person act as pilot-in-command of a

paraglider?

When they are certified (licensed) or are under

supervision of a SAFA certified instructor.

Where would you find the Civil Aviation Order (CAO) which

applies to paragliding?

CAO 95.8 in the Ops Manual or CASA

What is the SAFA accident or incident reporting?

1 – Report directly to the SAFA Ops Manager via the

online reporting system (AIRS)

2 – Provide a written report to local Club Senior Safety

Officer or instructor (Mikey, Ramon, Cyril, Simon A.)

What is the purpose of the SAFA Qualifications manual Part

149 and what does it contain?

A resource for information relevant to Paragliding and

Hang Gliding.

Contains:

a) Info relevant to the sport

b) Operating procedures

c) Rights, privileges and responsibilities of SAFA

what is the definition of CAO

Civil Aviation Authority

what is the definition of CASR

Civil Aviation saftety Regulation

what is the definition of The altimetry term QNH

The altimeter setting to read height above mean sea

level It is the current atmospheric pressure adjusted to the

mean sea level, typically reported in hectopascals

(hPa). Pilots use QNH to know their altitude above

sea level, which is critical for safe flying, especially

during landing and take off. (planes only!)

what is the definition of CTAF

Common Traffic Advisory Frequency

what is the definition of Controlled airspace (CTA)

A volume of airspace under Air Traffic Control as

depicted on a VTC (Visual Terminal Chart)

what is the definition of Class “g” airspace

Uncontrolled airspace (OCTA 0 - 12500 ft

what is the definition of VMC

Visual Meteorological Conditions

what is the definition of AMSL

Above Mean Sea Level

what is the definition of AGL

Above Ground Level

what is the definition of CTA

Controlled Traffic Area

what is the definition of OCTA

Outside Controlled Traffic Area

what is the VMC Criteria below 10,000 ft AMSL

5 km visibility, 1500 meters horizontally from

cloud and 1000 feet above or below cloud

What additional equipment is mandatory when flying

above 300 ft agl

Operational Regulations

An altimeter

How would you set an altimeter to QNH?

Set it to a known reference point e.g. the height of

the hill you are flying from.

What are the height limits and legal requirements when

operating a paraglider

a) Inside CTA?

A paraglider must not be flown in

Controlled Airspace

What are the height limits and legal requirements when

operating a paraglider Inside CTA?

At a height in excess of 300 feet AGL unless a serviceable

altimeter which can be set to QNH is carried in position so as to

b easily read by the pilot at all times whilst in flight.

2) Within 8km of a military aerodrome or within 8km of an

aerodrome used by regular public transport air services without

VHF radio carriage and use.

3) In controlled airspace (CTA) within 16 km of a controlled

aerodrome or above 300 feet AGL within CTA more than 16km

from a controlled aerodrome.

What are the height limits and legal requirements when

operating a paraglider

b) Outside CTA (OCTA or class “G” airspace)?

Not above 12,500 feet AMSL ( FL125)

(Unless a pilot holds the correct endorsements and is carrying

and using the correct equipment to allow them to exceed this

altitude)

What are the height limits and legal requirements when

operating a paraglider

c) In the vicinity of non-towered airports? (CTAF)

Not below 300 feet AGL within 10 nm (18.5) radius of an

airport used by regular public transport except with

carriage and licensed use of VHF radio.

What are the height limits and legal requirements when

operating a paraglider

d) Over any city, town or populous area?

1000 Feet or such a height that you can land

outside the city, town, or populous area.